Mentorship and Training

Our School's Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers play a key role as cultural mentors to our students. Together, we considered the ideal environment needed for success, identified principles by which we will operate, and co-created a shared vision for strengthening Indigenous research capacity through mentorship and training.

 

Environment

 

To strengthen Indigenous research capacity through mentorship and training, certain factors need to be considered:

  • being open to new ways of learning
  • supporting open and inclusive spaces for knowledge sharing and learning
  • finding ways to bring together two ways of knowing
  • providing support to mentors

 

Several principles guide the School's community-engaged research and training:

  • being present
  • being responsive to community needs
  • being connected to communities
  • changing our mindset — "Out of our heads, and into our hearts."
  • giving time and space to listen to stories
  • understanding the history, culture and context

 

There are key elements in our vision for successful community-engaged mentorship and training for students and Indigenous mentors:

  • achieving health equity
  • working in the spirit intended in treaties with Canada's Indigenous people
  • creating opportunities to learn through experience (e.g., land-based learning)
  • pursuing and using (traditional) knowledge
  • fostering an environment in which people feel comfortable in opening up
  • building hope, mutual respect and lasting relationships
  • creating a balance